Head of Business Development (UK)

Lúnasa Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus

Job summary

Lúnasa Ltd. is a UK-based NewSpace company seeking a senior leader to identify opportunities, shape programmes, secure funding, build partnerships, and convert technical capabilities into commercially viable contracts.

You will collaborate with senior leadership, engineering teams, government stakeholders, and strategic partners to expand Lúnasa’s footprint across the UK and position the company as a leader in in-orbit servicing and space infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience within the space sector, defence sector, or a closely related high-technology industry.
• Strong existing network across the UK space ecosystem.
• Proven track record securing funding, grants, R&D contracts, or strategic partnerships.
• Experience engaging with UK government stakeholders, including UKSA, DSIT, MoD, or related organisations.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain senior relationships across DSIT, UKSA, MoD, UK Space Command, and related bodies.
• Represent Lúnasa at industry events, conferences, workshops, and government forums.
• Identify funding, policy, and procurement opportunities relevant to growth strategy.
• Lead development of competitive grant applications and government-funded programmes.
• Identify and mature opportunities across in-orbit servicing, space domain awareness, satellite inspection, and defence space capabilities.
• Coordinate consortium formation and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Work with technical teams to develop compelling technical and commercial propositions.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Funding strategy

Partnership development

Proposal and bid leadership

Job description

Lúnasa is a UK-based NewSpace company (acquired by Infinite Orbits) building advanced and autonomous systems and satellites for in-orbit satellite services. Our mission is to provide geostationary operators with all the in-orbit services they need, from the inspection of their assets to the extension of their lifespan and the management of the end-of-life phase.

The company has received multiple contracts from the UK Space Agency and ESA to build and deploy AI-based satellite rendezvous proximity operations (RPO) technology and is set to demonstrate the innovation in space by 2027.

Location:London (hybrid working)
Salary: £90 – 110k + Bonus
The applicant must possess or be able to obtain Security Clearance in the UK

Job Summary:

We are looking for someone deeply embedded within the UK space ecosystem who understands how strategic programmes are created, funded, and delivered. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities, shaping programmes, securing funding, building partnerships, and converting technical capabilities into commercially viable contracts.

You will work closely with senior leadership, engineering teams, government stakeholders, and strategic partners to expand Lúnasa’s footprint across the UK and establish the company as a leading player in in-orbit servicing, inspection, and space infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain senior relationships across DSIT, UKSA, MoD, UK Space Command, and such.
• Represent Lúnasa at industry events, conferences, workshops, and government forums.
• Identify emerging policy, funding, and procurement opportunities relevant to the company’s growth strategy.
• Lead the development of competitive grant applications and government-funded programmes.
• Identify and mature opportunities across in-orbit servicing, space domain awareness, satellite inspection, and defence and dual-use space capabilities.
• Help shape future UK space initiatives through active engagement with stakeholders across government and industry.
• Coordinate consortium formation and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Work closely with technical teams to develop compelling technical and commercial propositions.
• 5+ years of experience within the space sector, defence sector, or a closely related high-technology industry
• Strong existing network across the UK space ecosystem.
• Demonstrable experience engaging with UK government stakeholders, including UKSA, DSIT, MoD, Dstl, Innovate UK, or related organisations.
• Proven track record securing funding, grants, R&D contracts, or strategic partnerships.
• Strong understanding of the UK and European space landscape.
• Experience leading complex proposal and bid activities.
• Ability to understand technical concepts and communicate effectively with engineering teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, and stakeholder-management skills.

Highly Desirable:

• Experience within in-orbit servicing, space domain awareness, satellite operations, Rendezvous and proximity operations, defence space programmes, etc
• Familiarity with ESA, Horizon Europe, and international funding mechanisms.
• Experience working with venture-backed or high-growth space companies.
• Existing relationships with key stakeholders across the UK government and defence.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of the UK space industry. You will play a leading role in establishing the UK’s position within the emerging in-orbit servicing market while working alongside a team developing technologies that will define the next generation of space infrastructure.

As part of the Infinite Orbits group, you will have access to proven in-orbit servicing capabilities, international partnerships, and the opportunity to influence programmes at both UK and European levels.